ISLAMABAD: Senate functional committee on Human Rights, on Wednesday, expressed grave concern over violence against children and asked the Punjab police officials to take stern action against the culprits.
The Senate body was briefed that 111 cases of violence against children were reported in three districts of Punjab during this year in which 115 suspects were arrested.
Sheikhupura Regional Police Officer (RPO) Shehzad Sultan briefed that in Kasur, seven cases of child abuse were reported, including two boys and five girls who were murdered after the assault.
The committee which met here under the chairmanship of Senator Mohsin Khan Leghari was apprised that according to investigations, four cases seemed linked, whereas other three cases were individual incidents.
RPO Sheikhupura said that cases of the perpetrators of Kasur scandal, reported last year, are in court and recent incidents have no link with that scandal.
Senator Nisar Muhammad said that individual and gang assault cases against children should be investigated in depth to dig out the root cause and establish a concrete strategy for countering this menace.
The RPO further added that DNA tests of 42 suspects were done and surveillance of suspected areas has been increased, adding that almost 200 police officials are deputed there besides installation of the CCTV cameras.
The committee directed the Punjab Police Department to brief the body with the reported cases of child molestation, assault, abduction, attempt to murder and murder etc. after every 45 days.
The committee also directed the police department to give a detailed briefing on the attack on Express Tribune Lahore reporter Rana Tanveer in one week.
Earlier, the committee members expressed their dismay on the police report that the said reporter is not approachable as his mobile phone was switched off and no one was available at his residential address.
They said the organisation or the family members of the journalist could be contacted, while Senator Sahar Kamran commented that if police failed to trace a journalist how it could ensure the safety of common people.
The committee meeting was attended by Senators Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Mir Kabir Ahmed Muhammad Shahi, Nisar Muhammad, Sehar Kamran, Samina Abid, Sitara Ayaz, officials of Ministry of Human Rights and Punjab police officials.